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Karzai fear over Pakistan clashes Karzai fear over Pakistan clashes
(about 4 hours later)
Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai has expressed concern about the recent upsurge in fighting in Pakistan's border tribal district of Waziristan.Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai has expressed concern about the recent upsurge in fighting in Pakistan's border tribal district of Waziristan.
Mr Karzai said the violence would have an impact on both countries.Mr Karzai said the violence would have an impact on both countries.
The fighting has left more than 200 militants and dozens of Pakistani soldiers dead, the authorities say.The fighting has left more than 200 militants and dozens of Pakistani soldiers dead, the authorities say.
Mr Karzai also denied allegations from Pakistan's military that militants operating in Pakistan were being helped from over the border in Afghanistan.Mr Karzai also denied allegations from Pakistan's military that militants operating in Pakistan were being helped from over the border in Afghanistan.
President Karzai chose his words carefully, clearly trying to avoid causing damage to what has long been a deeply sensitive and often strained relationship between two neighbours sharing a strategic border. The president chose his words carefully, clearly trying to avoid causing damage to what has long been a deeply sensitive and often strained relationship between two neighbours sharing a strategic border.
Afghan leaders often accuse Pakistan of giving sanctuary to Taleban militants and their allies, including al-Qaeda.Afghan leaders often accuse Pakistan of giving sanctuary to Taleban militants and their allies, including al-Qaeda.
Now, there are accusations from Pakistan.Now, there are accusations from Pakistan.
Firm denialFirm denial
In an interview with the BBC, the president said there could be linkages to Afghanistan in the recent upsurge in fighting in Pakistan's tribal territory of Waziristan.In an interview with the BBC, the president said there could be linkages to Afghanistan in the recent upsurge in fighting in Pakistan's tribal territory of Waziristan.
But he firmly denied allegations from a Pakistan military spokesman that well-trained militants were getting help from across the border in Afghanistan.But he firmly denied allegations from a Pakistan military spokesman that well-trained militants were getting help from across the border in Afghanistan.
"Do we have money to supply, do we have guns to supply, do we have reasons to support extremists that we are fighting here every day?" he asked."Do we have money to supply, do we have guns to supply, do we have reasons to support extremists that we are fighting here every day?" he asked.
When asked if Taleban militants fighting in Afghanistan were going back to Waziristan, Mr Karzai said: "It's the other way round." When asked if Taleban militants fighting in Afghanistan were going back to Waziristan, Mr Karzai said: "It's the other way round. Everyone knows it's the other way round."
President Karzai emphasised relations with Pakistan had recently improved. So the main source of tension has not gone away. But President Karzai said relations with Pakistan were definitely better.
He was now more hopeful that solutions could be found to curb the growing violence on both sides of the border. "The environment is much better, the co-ordination is better, and there's a new purpose," he said.
When told that Pakistan's President, Gen Pervez Musharraf, had already tried military and political approaches and both had failed to stem the growing strength of militant groups, President Karzai said making deals as President Musharraf had done last year in Waziristan was absolutely wrong. One observer in Kabul called the change "an attitude of mind, not anything concrete".
But it is certainly a marked change from the lows of last year when the two presidents were publicly trading accusations, provoking very personal tensions that worried many Western countries whose troops are deployed on the front line in the fight against the Taleban in Afghanistan.
When I recently met Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Islamabad I also noticed how he measured his words, speaking of his good relations with President Karzai.
Mr Aziz attended the opening in August of an unprecedented jirga in Kabul. The gathering of tribal elders and politicians from both sides put common interests on the table including the fight against the Taleban and other militant groups.
General Pervez Musharraf then showed up for the jirga's closing ceremony, despite concerns in Kabul he would stay away because of a political crisis at home and reports that a state of emergency was about to be imposed.
There has been little progress on follow-up since then but it has helped clear the air, for now.
Increased violence
President Karzai said he was now more hopeful solutions could be found to curb the growing number of attacks on both sides of the border. His own country is struggling with the worst violence since the fall of the Taleban in 2001.
There have been four suicide bombings in Kabul alone in the past 10 days that have killed more than 40 people.
When I pointed out that General Musharraf had already tried military and political approaches to stem the growing strength of militant groups in Waziristan, President Karzai said making deals as President Musharraf had done last year was "absolutely wrong".
President Karzai said their two countries had to work together with the international community and local people to eliminate the sanctuaries of the extremists, as well as their financial backers and the religious schools or madrassas which he described as training grounds for terrorism.President Karzai said their two countries had to work together with the international community and local people to eliminate the sanctuaries of the extremists, as well as their financial backers and the religious schools or madrassas which he described as training grounds for terrorism.
As one source in Kabul put it, there is now a recognition two neighbours are facing a common front on both sides of the line dividing them.
Asked whether he had stopped blaming Pakistan for the Taliban's continuing strength, President Karzai diplomatically said he was not blaming anyone - he was just trying to point out the problems that still had to be addressed.
Your can listen or watch to Lyse Doucet's full interview with Hamid Karzai in Have Your Say on BBC World Service radio or BBC World television on Sunday 14 October at 1406 GMT. A video version will also be on the website.Your can listen or watch to Lyse Doucet's full interview with Hamid Karzai in Have Your Say on BBC World Service radio or BBC World television on Sunday 14 October at 1406 GMT. A video version will also be on the website.